Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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171. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his plans to introduce mandatory paediatric first-aid training for all childcare workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5195/23]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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The Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) Regulations 2016 set out the requirements for service providers in relation to First Aid training. Regulation 25 (1) states that  

“A registered provider shall ensure that a person trained in first aid for children is, at all times, immediately available to the children attending the pre-school service.”

The Tusla Early Years Inspectorate is the independent statutory regulator of Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School Age Childcare (SAC) services in Ireland. In performing its regulatory function, Tusla inspects ELC and SAC services to ensure compliance with Regulations, including Regulation 25.

All of the Regulations pertaining to the ELC and SAC sector are kept under review by my Department and will be updated where there is evidence to show that a revision is required.